Overview
Latest updates, resources and what OFA is doing
March 12, 2025: On March 4, 2025, the United States imposed 10 per cent tariffs on energy imports from Canada and 25 per cent tariffs on all other imports from Canada. In response, Canada imposed initial reciprocal tariffs of 25 per cent against C$30 billion in imports of goods from the U.S., effective March 4, 2025. U.S. tariffs have been suspended on most items until April 2; Canada’s reciprocal tariffs remain in place. U.S. tariffs of 25% on imports of Canadian steel and aluminum came into effect on March 12.
“This continues to be a very uncertain and fluid situation, but tariffs and resulting impacts on currency and markets will have severe negative consequences for farmers and consumers on both sides of the border.
Canada and the U.S. share one of the most significant agricultural trading relationships in the world and we cannot overstate the importance of a balanced trade position that does not harm agricultural commodities, or the deeply integrated relationship Canadian farmers have with processors and markets in the U.S.
We continue to work with our partners to understand the ongoing impacts on our sector and encourage Canadians at every opportunity to support Ontario and Canadian products, goods, and services.”
–Drew Spoelstra, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
OFA’s actions on U.S. tariffs and trade
Commodity and member outreach:
OFA’s board and staff are working closely with Ontario’s commodity group leaders and OFA grassroots members to understand immediate impacts, challenges and opportunities that farmers, members and sectors are facing in this time of trade turmoil. This includes a roundtable of commodity group leaders convened by OFA to create a joint position all organizations can use to advocate collectively to government on behalf of the sector.
OFA also has board and staff at many of major farm shows and events to meet with members, as well as responding to emails and phone calls.
Government participation:
OFA participates in a minimum twice weekly national call with the Government of Canada Forum on Canada-US issues where we obtain information about government discussions, negotiations, meetings with key players in the USA and feedback from across the country about the impact on countless industries, sectors, businesses and individuals.
This is also where we contribute valuable feedback from the industry on both the pros and cons of retaliatory tariff proposals from the government, and we’ve identified and provided input on both immediate and longer term support programs to mitigate and address the impact to our sector.
Some of this work resulted in the announcement of the Advanced Payment Program being extended through 2025 with a $250,000 interest free loan available to farmers as well as the announcement of $5 billion of programs through Farm Credit Canada and Economic Development Canada and more. More details are available below in the resources section of this page.
Interprovincial trade barriers:
OFA is working with key sector leaders and experts to identify specific interprovincial trade barriers for agricultural goods both in terms of red tape in transportation and logistics as well as market access for Ontario products. This is to provide input to government around the needs of our sector as they prioritize addressing interprovincial trade barriers that have plagued our sector for decades.
On April 1st, OFA is holding a provincial policy advisory council meeting with farmer and commodity representation to share information and capture feedback from members about their experiences with interprovincial trade barriers as well as recommended solutions and areas of priority focus.
Buy local programs:
OFA has also been working with partners across the province to identify tools and opportunities to capitalize on the “buy local” momentum that we are seeing Ontario- and Canada-wide. We are using free and paid media opportunities to promote local food, Ontario labels and raise the level of awareness of our communities about things such as product of Canada and made in Canada. We also have an email distribution list of 75,000 approximately “non-farm” consumers with whom we’re regularly sharing information about how and where to shop local.
Check out: www.homegrownofa.ca or @homegrownofa and some of our recent paid advertising here: www.innovatingcanada.ca/campaign/industry-and-business/product-of-canada.
Media interviews:
OFA directors have already participated in dozens of media interviews and continue to take part in many more. The goal is to raise awareness of the impact of tariffs on Ontario and Canadian agriculture and ensure all levels of government as well as Ontarians and Canadians understand the vulnerability of the agriculture sector to this trade disruption and the importance of agriculture to our food sovereignty and security. Here are links to a few of them:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-tariffs-trump-industry-auto-manufacturing-1.7450888
https://farmtario.com/news/ofa-members-call-for-proactive-response-to-u-s-tariff-threat/
Connecting with Ontario’s business community:
As an appointed member of the Business Trade Leadership Coalition that is part of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, OFA’s general manager Cathy Lennon brings the voice of agriculture to the table with other business leaders.
To date the coalition has met with Premier Doug Ford and Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly. At the meeting with Premier Ford, OFA was able to highlight the need for more investment in local infrastructure, particularly food processing capacity in all sectors so Ontario could add more value by finishing goods here at home instead of relying on exports for processing and value added opportunities.
U.S. outreach
In January, OFA along with colleagues from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan attended the American Farm Bureau Convention in the United States to engage with state and national American Farm Bureau leaders from all across the country and try to assess their interest and support in moving messages forward to Washington about the value of the integrated supply chain to both farmers and food processors across the country.
Next steps
When the federal and provincial governments return from their breaks, OFA will continue to be very active in bringing the voice and priorities of our members to their attention.
We are also continuing with the activities outlined above and will continue to offer updates through our weekly NewsWire newsletter, social media channels, media interviews as well as through our board and staff and by attending farm shows and events.
Resources
Ontario farmers respond to U.S. tariff situation:
https://ofa.on.ca/newsroom/ontario-farmers-respond-to-u-s-tariff-situation
Financial support available for farm businesses: https://ofa.on.ca/resources/financial-support-available-for-farm-businesses
List of products from the United States subject to 25 per cent tariffs effective March 4, 2025:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2025/03/list-of-products-from-the-united-states-subject-to-25-per-cent-tariffs-effective-march-4-2025.html
Canada-U.S. agriculture in focus:
https://www.cfa-fca.ca/canada-us-agriculture
